https://twitter.com/ADLeadbeater/status/689929303618879488 Our own Alex Leadbeater made the fine point that none of this should be a surprise. It's almost like there was something in the air; with Force Awakens doing so well at Christmas time - putting to bed all the naysayers who decried the move from the traditional release date of May - and Rogue One already pencilled in for December of this year, it's only right that VIII occupy the same December stomping ground. If only to give Rian Johnson a bit of extra time to polish up that script.